Ilona Maher Reveals Why She Joined “DWTS” And How Alan Bersten Makes Her Feel “Beautiful”

For generations, women have felt the pressure to look perfect. Even though there is no such thing as a perfect body, many people feel like they have to be thin and petite to be beautiful. But that isn’t the case. Every person is unique and beautiful, no matter their size. Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher joined the cast of Dancing With The Stars to compete and send a message. She wants young girls like her to know they are beautiful and capable of anything. Having Ilona Maher on DWTS this season has helped break down stereotypes and encourage all women to be themselves.

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She told Good Morning America, “People are loving to see a girl like me move. They’re seeing themselves out there.”

She added that fans love seeing her and Alan Bersten “working with a person like me and how he supports me and makes me feel so beautiful on the floor.”

The pair have danced to the show’s 500th episode, airing November 12. Ilona Maher thinks DWTS has helped her showcase her talents.

“For me, it’s just showing how powerful and how important it is to be strong physically and mentally,” Maher, fresh off winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics,” she told Good Morning America.

Ilona added that young girls appreciate seeing someone like them represented on television.

“I think young girls like seeing me dancing the rumba, this muscular build out there, trying to be as graceful as she can,” Ilona added. “At times, it feels like it’s not just for me that I’m doing this, it’s for others.”

Alan said he loves having Ilona Maher as his DWTS partner, which is what the show is all about, and she’s learned to dance with him.

“She is exactly who she is on social media, in person,” he added. “She’s the first female partner to lift her male partner on the show, and it’s just awesome.”

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